Nicholas Colagiovanni never wanted to go home, unless it was to Buster, his dog. After a long day selling real estate, he dreaded returning to his unfurnished studio apartment. All he had was a bed from college days and a bedside table.
That all changed when he asked James Tigerman to design the interior of a West Loop loft.
Colagiovanni, 27, had been the selling agent for a unit Tigerman bought in the same building. After watching Tigerman’s loft evolve, he knew he wanted Tigerman to design his own home.
Having no specific concept in mind, Colagiovanni charged Tigerman with budgetary guidelines and the mood he envisioned. “Because I work very hard, I wanted my home to be a sanctuary,” says Colagiovanni.
“Nicholas needed a very serene, orderly space that allows him to get up the next day and go bounding back out that door,” Tigerman adds.
“We took a lot of dubious developer finishes and upgraded them to create smooth, clean surfaces that were soothing to the eye,” says Tigerman. “We also minimized the number of materials your eye encounters as a means of creating a serene space.”
Beginning with the kitchen, Tigerman slipcovered existing Formica cabinetry with stainless-steel facades. A wall littered with six vents and four hollow core doors was simplified by installing two massive stainless-steel panels.
Next, he transformed the hearth by removing a wood shelf and applying sandblasted mirrors across the fireplace surround.
To provide the warmth and tranquility his client requested, Tigerman chose an imaginative color palette. Visitors are greeted with a blast of coral on one wall tempered by white peach yellow on the adjoining wall. A stunning African headdress of red and turquoise parrot feathers adds impact.
These strong hues detract from the entry’s cloistered feeling and lead you into the wide-open living area, says Tigerman.
Here, sheer sapphire draperies frame an enormous span of windows offering a panoramic view of the city. To set off the spectacular vista, furnishings sit below window level.
A minimal number of contemporary pieces were selected for their clean, spare lines. Tigerman mixed Italian, American and French designs to create an international ambience.
A light sculpture based on a Noguchi design welcomes guests to the living room, where a comfortable arrangement is anchored by the massive fireplace. The classic couch by French designer Philippe Starck is covered in white linen. Two smoking chairs in cornflower blue leather complete the seating.
Instead of a traditional coffee table, Tigerman paired two crimson leather boxes with a russet yellow suede ottoman. “I wanted elements that could be moved around, changed and almost become a little puzzle in the center,” he says.
Three Italian fixtures made of white fabric stretched across a rectangular metal frame provide a soft glow of light.
Dividing the living and dining areas is a striking 9th Century Cambodian Buddha. Set atop a stainless-steel pedestal with a suspended stainless-steel panel as a backdrop, the figure casts a remarkable presence.
The dining table is a sandblasted glass table top supported by a simple stainless-steel base. Dining chairs are very clean forms covered in taupe leather and wool with stainless steel legs.
At the far end of the room, Tigerman placed a vis-^-vis chaise accented by a yellow cotton throw and a russet yellow suede cushion. Colagiovanni enjoys writing poetry here. Three vases filled with dried jack-o’-lantern branches stand nearby.
In the bedroom, the wall behind the bed is covered with padded panels of men’s suiting to absorb street noise. The bed coverlet is made from the same ivory and navy blue suiting. Black granite drawer units are suspended on either side of the bed.
“Now I am very happy to come home here,” says Colagiovanni. “It’s warm, it’s nurturing, it’s vibrant-it’s everything a home should be.”
———-
RESOURCES
SANCTUARY REQUIRED Interior design-James Tigerman, Tigerman/Himmel Decorative Arts, Chicago. Pg. 38: Bedroom: Tastata bed by Ivano Redaelli-Luminaire, Chicago; black granite drawer side tables-Tigerman/Himmel, Chicago; sconces-Lightology, Chicago; bed linens-Steve Hafliger, Chicago. Pp. 38-39: Living room: Fireplace wall of sandblasted mirrors-Glassworks, Chicago; stainless-steel flag-Stainless Steel Kitchens, Elkhart, Ind.; cornflower blue leather chairs-Ligne Roset, Chicago; red leather boxes-Stitch, Chicago; sofa-Luminaire, Chicago; Noguchi-style paper lamp-Decoro, Chicago. Pg. 40-41: Living/dining area: Neoz three-seat sofa by Philippe Starck and dining room table, dishes and flatware-Luminaire, Chicago; stemware-Stitch, Chicago; 9th Century Cambodian Buddha-Golden Triangle, Chicago; yellow leather ottoman and drapes-Steve Sews, Chicago. Pg. 41: Dining area: Set of three vases, dining table and chairs-Luminaire, Chicago. Pg. 42: Kitchen: All stainless-steel-Stainless Steel Kitchens, Elkhart, Ind.; lighting fixtures-Lightology, Chicago; photograph titled “Hercules Slaying the Hydra” by Les Boschke-Landmark Arts, Chicago. Pg. 44: Living room/kitchen (see above).
COVER. Bedroom and living-area detail: Vis-^-vis chaise and Tastata bed by Ivano Redaelli-Luminaire, Chicago; yellow leather pillow-Steve Hafliger, Chicago; yellow chenille throw-Chambers catalog, 800-840-3658; black granite drawer side tables-Tigerman/Himmel Decorative Arts, Chicago; sconces-Lightology, Chicago; bed linens-Steve Hafliger, Chicago.
